Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-03-09

principal ground for the opposition was
Beecher's views of the future state, and
Dr.. Z. P. Goodwin, among others, con-
tended that If the meeting as a body sent
resolutions of coincidence to the dying
preacher. their action might be construed
into an expression of opinion favorable to
his theological sentiments. This was not
the only attack made, however One min
lister arose and stated that he would not
extend sympathy to man who was
charged with immortality, and had never
cleared himself of the charge. He stated
that he doubted that Mr.. Beecher had es-
ta5lished bis innocence of the offense of
which he was accused years ago. The
friends of Mr.. Beecher holly attacked the
speaker who had alluded to the scandal.
The resolutions, when put to an in
formal vote, received a majority, but they
were withdrawn by the proposer. who as
serted that it would be in bad taste to send
resolutions not made unanimous.
Rev. o. s. Goodwin, who opposed the
resolutions, refused 10 make public his
reasons. further than that he did not CO.
incide with Mr.. Beecher in matters : the
ology.
Henry Ward Beecher was born at
Litchfeld, Conn, June "a, 1918, and con-
sequently was nearly "A years of age at his
death. From early boyhood he manifested
unusual mental power and intellectual
force. He was graduated at Amherst in
1884, and entered Lane Seminary 10 study
theology. In 1887 he was called 10 the
pastoYate of Presbyterian Church at Law
renceburg, Ind, and two years later 10
minister to one in Indianapolis. In 1S47 he
was called to Plymouth Congregational
Church, Brooklyn, n. Y, over which he
presided for all the after years OF his life.
His reputation began to grow as pulpit
orator from his earliest efforts, and for q
quarter of century steadily increased
until he was recognized as the leading pull
pit orator of the continent. He built up
Plymouth Church to be probably the
largest congregation in America. His hui
NOR was of the very best order, and gave
him opportunities and license to depar:
from pulpit conventionalities as no other
preacher in the country could or ever has.
His manner was highly dramatic, his SER
mons full Of homely and graphic illustra-
ton. He was intense in all he said.
Nothing was uttered by him with
out force and vigor marking it.
His views of Christianity gradually
broadened with age, until he came
to be recognized as so nearly liberal, and
free-thinker. as to be sharply questioned by
orthodox Christians. He was always the
advocate of personal freedom, temperance,
human liberty and tolerance, and the enc
my of slavery, political chicane, venality
and all manner of dishonesty in govern
ment or society. He spoke so boldly and
forcibly on public topics as to win the
name CT being the foremost political
preacher in the Union. He was a great
lover of nature in her purity, an admirer
of fine animals a conDolsseur OF art and
music and a literary scholar of mastery
ability. He wrote as well if not better
than he spoke. Hewas popular lecturer,
and Travelled the country over in that
capacity He was favorite orator with
the people on national topics, and achieved
as much fame and distinction upon the
rostrum as in the pulpit or on the lecture
platform. Prior TO being called to the
pulpit, he edited for year newspaper
(the Cincinnati Journal. and ever after was
given to contributing to journals and to en-
gaging in one way and another, in editorial
work, which possessed charm for HIM
He edited an agricultural paper at Indian
apolis while pastor of the church there
His writings in that paper were collated
and published some time after in book
form, under the title " Fruits, Flowers and
Farming He was an editorial con-
tributor to the New York Independent
for about 20 years, and from 1861 10 1863
was its editorial chief Many of his essays
in that paper were published in book form
under the title 1.-The Star Papers, He
was from 1870 for number of years editor
of the Christian onion, one of the leading
religious papers of the world. In 1859 the
system of reporting bis sermons and pub
fishing them in pamphlet form began. and
was maintained up TO the time of his death.
These issues were known by the title The
Plymouth Pulpit" In bound form there
are some 20 volumes of this issue. He was
the author of Lectures TO Young Men
Industry and Idleness Life Thoughts
Sermons on Liberty and War; Plymouth
Collection of Hymns and Tunes: Norwood
"a novel;; Sermons from Published and
Unpublished Discourses; Yale Lectures on
Preaching, and Life of Christ. This last
was his greatest work and at the time OF
his death he was laboriously engaged in
the preparation Of the second volume.
While the great civil war was be-
ing prosecuted he visited England, Scot
land, and other British parts (lS63) and
lectured as a preacher upon the
war. His aim was to disabuse the English
mind CT errors into which it had fallen
ttDCtNulllS Jut itDtlilOu. L HtSt specifics
exerted a wide and potent influence, and
made him famous among all English
speaking people We deem it wholly un-
necessary to more than refer to the untor-
tunate period in his life that involved Mr..
Beecher's name, and concerning which
public jndgmen, was and will remain di-
vided. He lived on his life of earnest,
Christian work, in the face of the ordeal he
was called to UNDERGO and apparentfy nm
concerned and in manner to carry to the
minds of his friends the conviction OF his
guiltlessness. His visit last year to En-
gland was one purely Of recreation. He
was received with high honors, and every
where Thousands focked TO hear him. Few
men worked 50 hard, Or in literary and
clerical life accomplished so much He
was, indeed, marvellous man; one whose
endurance was phenomenal, and whose ca
pacity for brain work seemed to be ALSO
lutely unlimited and tireless